Ya Fei: Why not repay me with a gushing spring right now?

If Chu Zhou had known what Xiao Yan and Yao Lao were thinking, he would have been very pleased with himself.

He had orchestrated tonight's ranking spectacle precisely to establish a connection with Yao Lao and Xiao Yan, turning them into reliable sources of high-grade pills and Pill Formulas in exchange for information on heavenly flames he had no use for or could safely reveal.

He would not trade away information on truly unique heavenly flames such as the Green Lotus Core Flame or the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame.

Revealing his identity as an Otherworlder had also been part of his plan. As his "fellow countryman," Xiao Yan would surely want to make use of that connection.

At the same time, his identity as an Otherworlder would keep Xiao Yan and Yao Lao from taking the extreme route of killing him for his treasures.

Information on heavenly flames was his bait. Whenever Xiao Yan wanted information, Chu Zhou would reap the benefits.

"The Wind Fury Dragon Flame? Within the Jia Ma Empire?" Xiao Yan looked intrigued. After making a show of hesitating, he took out seven new scrolls and handed them straight to Chu Zhou.

"Decisive." Chu Zhou did not rush to inspect the scrolls. Instead, he said, "The Wind Fury Dragon Flame ranks eighteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. Legend has it that it was born in the eye of a flaming tornado in an ancient desert. Each year, during the hottest season, it appears randomly somewhere in the desert, taking the form of a massive tornado of intertwined wind and fire."

"Traces of this heavenly flame have been found deep in the Tagor Desert, in the buffer zone between the Jia Ma Empire and the Luo Yan Empire, outside the Snake-People Tribe's territory."

"If you want to subdue it once you're strong enough, you can go during the hottest part of the year and wait for it to appear!"

Chu Zhou had not made up this information.

Whenever he had nothing else to do, he checked players' messages across the various channels, gathering and filtering useful information.

Since he was currently within the Jia Ma Empire, he paid particular attention to the Jia Ma Empire, Northeast Province, and Wutan City channels.

He had seen the information about the Wind Fury Dragon Flame in the Jia Ma Empire channel, where players who had spawned in the Luo Yan Empire's desert region had witnessed its appearance.

They had not recognized the Wind Fury Dragon Flame and had merely described their encounters, but Chu Zhou knew that was what they had seen.

"The Tagor Desert, in the region between the Jia Ma Empire and the Luo Yan Empire, and it might appear during the hottest part of each year. Got it." Xiao Yan nodded firmly, delight hidden in his eyes.

Judging by its location and ranking, the Wind Fury Dragon Flame was an excellent choice for the first heavenly flame he would subdue.

Relatively speaking, information on the Wind Fury Dragon Flame was far more valuable than information on the Three Thousand Burning Flame.

"Deal." Xiao Yan gave his approval.

Chu Zhou smiled and nodded, then inspected the seven new scrolls one by one.

The Weather Pill, the Clearwater Pill... the Fire Cloud Pill.

They were another seven good Grade Four Pill Formulas. The Qi Condensation Pill Xiao Ting wanted more was not among them, but the Fire Cloud Pill was.

A Qi Condensation Pill could raise any Dou Shi's cultivation by one star, while a Fire Cloud Pill could only raise a Fire Attribute Dou Shi's cultivation by one star. Still, he could use either.

Putting away the seven scrolls, Chu Zhou looked at Xiao Yan again and asked, "Do you happen to have a Pill Formula for the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill or the Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill?"

With the Pill Formula for either of those pills, he would not need to rush to find new formulas before reaching Dou Ling. He could simply focus on refining pills, taking them, and improving his strength.

"This boy certainly knows his stuff. The Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill and Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill are both among the finest Grade Four Pills," Yao Lao remarked with a chuckle. "I have both Pill Formulas. Little Yanzi, tell him you have the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill Pill Formula and ask what he'll trade for it."

"I don't have the Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill Pill Formula, but I do have the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill Pill Formula," Xiao Yan answered immediately. "However, this formula is worth more than many fifth-grade pill formulas. What do you intend to offer for it, Master Chu?"

"How about information on several heavenly flames?" Chu Zhou countered.

Xiao Yan: ?!?

Information on several heavenly flames in exchange for a single Grade Four Pill Pill Formula!?

Did that make any sense?

And how did Chu Zhou know so much!?

"The Fallen Heart Flame is beneath the Burning Heaven Qi Refining Tower in Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy. Apparently, it's been going berserk quite frequently lately and could escape at any moment."

"The Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Fire is a heavenly flame passed down through generations in Burning Flame Valley, one of the Three Valleys of the Central Plains. I hear they recently cultivated a young flame."

"The Sea Heart Flame is in the hands of Han Feng, the lord of Maple City in the Black-Corner Region."

Chu Zhou delivered all three pieces of information in one breath, then asked with amusement in his eyes, "Would these three pieces of information be enough for the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill Pill Formula?"

Xiao Yan: "..."

Was this information about heavenly flames?

It certainly was!

But all these heavenly flames already had owners.

This information was practically useless.

"Make the trade," Yao Lao gave his answer. "If the Fallen Heart Flame escapes, that will be your chance."

"If that wretch Han Feng really has the Sea Heart Flame, we can seize it when I go with you to deal with that traitorous disciple."

"As for the Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Fire, they supposedly never pass it to outsiders. If all else fails, you can marry into their family."

Xiao Yan: "..."

"That's enough." Xiao Yan took out a scroll and handed it to Chu Zhou.

After confirming that it was the Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pill Pill Formula, Chu Zhou accepted it with a smile. "A pleasure doing business. If you fail to obtain any of those heavenly flames, you're welcome to come back and trade for more information."

For an instant, Xiao Yan felt as though he had fallen into a trap.

But looking at Chu Zhou's refined, gentlemanly demeanor, he decided he was overthinking things.

"All right." Xiao Yan readily agreed.

"Sister Ya Fei, let's cancel the auction for the final item," Chu Zhou said, turning to Ya Fei. "And please inform our guests that although this guest did not become my disciple, he will henceforth be an honored guest of the Mittel Auction House and a friend personally acknowledged by me, Chu Zhou."

"Of course. I'll go myself." Ya Fei smiled sweetly, fully approving of Chu Zhou's decision.

Regardless of whether Xiao Yan could become the disciple of that powerful figure suspected to be Venerable Yao, the sheer number of Grade Four Pill Pill Formulas he had produced already made him worth investing in.

Outside in the auction hall, Xiao Zhan and the others were still waiting.

Xiao Yan had yet to return, and Ya Fei had sent no news. Xiao Zhan was torn between hope and fear, fidgeting as though he were sitting on needles.

Jia Lie Bi sneered, "Xiao Zhan, do you really think that useless son of yours stands a chance?"

Xiao Zhan clenched his fists and was about to retort when Ya Fei and Xiao Yan suddenly appeared around the corner of the corridor.

"Esteemed guests." Ya Fei stepped onto the platform and spoke with a captivating smile. "Today's auction has concluded."

"Young Master Xiao Yan of the Xiao Clan had a very pleasant conversation with Master Chu, our Mittel Auction House's Third-Rank Alchemist. Although he did not become Master Chu's disciple, he will henceforth be an honored guest of our Auction House and a friend personally acknowledged by Master Chu."

With that, Ya Fei turned and left, leaving a colorful array of expressions on everyone's faces.

So did Xiao Yan have the talent to become an Alchemist or not?

Why had the last two auctions been canceled?

Xiao Yan rubbed his nose and said to Xiao Zhan, "Father, let's talk when we get home."

Meanwhile, Chu Zhou had already begun studying the Fire Cloud Pill Pill Formula.

Refining it required Fourth-Rank Spirit Medicine, Flame Cloud Grass, three stalks of third-rank Gathering Flame Grass, one second-rank Fire Attribute magic core, and some second-rank Spirit Medicine.

"It doesn't seem particularly difficult to refine." Chu Zhou rested his chin on his hand in thought.

Although the Firmament Ledger had only recognized him as a Third-Rank Alchemist, he could perfectly refine ten types of Grade Three Pill. Given the Pill Formulas for other Grade Three Pill, he would almost never fail even on his first attempt.

Just as Gu Ni could refine a few Grade Three Pill with a very low success rate, Chu Zhou should be able to refine Grade Four Pill through exploration and repeated attempts. That did not mean he was a Fourth-Rank Alchemist.

Xiao Yan had managed to refine the Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill through his own experimentation as a seven-star Dou Shi, with the Green Lotus Core Flame and a Mid Xuan Tier cultivation method.

As a two-star Dou Shi with a customized low-level Di-class cultivation method, the Mystic Yellow Azure Flame, and the Myriad Medicine Clarity Body, Chu Zhou fully met the essential requirements for refining the Fire Cloud Pill.

With that thought, the moment Ya Fei entered, he went over and wrapped his arms around her. "Sister Ya Fei, please help me gather the ingredients for the Fire Cloud Pill as soon as possible."

Ya Fei: "..."

You little brat. You certainly don't hesitate to put me to work.

"All right, you little tormentor. I must really owe you."

"No, I'm the one who owes you. I'll repay you with a gushing spring," Chu Zhou whispered in her ear.

Ya Fei melted against him and deliberately teased, "Then why not repay me with a gushing spring right now?"

Chu Zhou: ?